Swing Training Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A baseball swing training apparatus that is operable to provide a visual and an audio signal to a user during the execution of a baseball swing to provide reinforcement of proper lower body rotation and heel positioning. The baseball swing training apparatus includes an adjustable band having a feedback unit secured thereto. The feedback unit includes a central processing unit and a power supply. Disposed within the feedback unit is a light emitter operable to produce a visible light beam for the user. An audio unit is included within the feedback unit and is operable to provide an audio signal to a user. Operably coupled to the audio unit is a tilt switch calibrated to detected an angular motion of at least twenty degrees.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices, more specifically but not by way of limitation a baseball swing training device that is operably to assist a player in developing the proper rotation and lower body positioning during execution of a baseball swing.

BACKGROUND

Millions of individuals regularly participate in sports whether it is for recreational purposes, school athletics or at a professional level. Sports participation develops valuable skills that a person can carry into other areas of their lives. One of the most popular sports in the United States is baseball. Baseball is played at all ages where some start organized play at the age of four to five years of age. There are several skillsets that a player must develop in order to be successful in playing the game of baseball. Areas such as throwing and catching the ball are extremely important. Additionally, a proper swing and hitting the baseball effectively is critical to the success of a player.

One problem with most baseball swing training devices is their failure to teach proper lower body positioning and rotation. Many commercially available swing trainers provide elements that teach hand eye coordination allowing a player to develop only a portion of what is needed to execute a proper swing. These existing devices typically have a tethered ball, which further fails to reinforce proper swing plane. Practicing with these style of devices develops a level swing plane, which is not the desired swing plane. The reinforcement of a level swing plane further reduces the likelihood that a player will learn proper lower body positioning and rotation required to execute a more effective swing.

Accordingly, there is a need for a swing training apparatus that is focused on teaching a player the proper lower body positioning and rotation so as to successfully execute a more effective baseball swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a baseball swing training apparatus that is operable to teach proper lower body positioning and rotation during execution of a baseball swing that is releasably secured to a player's leg.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training device that is releasably secured to a players leg wherein the body is an adjustable strap.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training apparatus that is operable to teach a user proper lower body positioning and rotation during execution of a baseball swing wherein the apparatus further includes visual feedback element.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training apparatus operable to teach proper lower body rotation wherein the visual feedback element utilizes a laser light.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training apparatus operable to teach lower body rotation and positioning wherein the apparatus further includes an audio feedback means.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a baseball training apparatus that further includes a tilt-switch operably coupled to the audio feedback means.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training apparatus that is releasably secured to a player's leg and is operable to teach proper lower body positioning and rotation that is lightweight.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein the drawings provide views of a preferred embodiment of the present invention only and do not serve to limit the scope of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention releasably secured to a player; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention releasably secured to a player wherein the player is engaged in a swing; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the electronic components of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a swing training apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

Referring in particular to FIG. 3, the swing training apparatus 100, further includes a band 10 that is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to nylon. The band 10 includes a first end 11 and a second end 12 that are operably to be releasably secured to each other utilizing a suitable fastener such as but not limited to hook and loop fastening material. The band 10 functions to secure the swing training apparatus 100 to an exemplary leg 99 of a user as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The swing training apparatus 100 is designed to be utilized on the rearward leg of a user during the user practicing a baseball or softball swing in order to hit a thrown ball. The exemplary leg 99 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is preferred as the swing training apparatus 100 as further discussed herein is operable to assist a user in identifying proper lower body positioning and rotation during the execution of a baseball swing. The band 10 is secured beneath the knee of the exemplary leg 99. This positioning is preferred as the exemplary leg 99 is the leg of the user that will rotate and be moved forward during the execution of a desired baseball swing. While in its preferred embodiment, the band 10 is secured to the exemplary leg 99 below and adjacent to the knee, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the band 10 could be secured to various places on the exemplary leg 99 and still achieve the desired functionality as described herein. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the band 10 could be manufactured in numerous different sizes, colors and from a variety of different materials.

Referring in particular to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the feedback unit 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3 in its preferred embodiment and in FIG. 4 in a block diagrammatic form. The feedback unit 20 is secured to the band 10 utilizing suitable durable techniques and includes a durable housing 13 manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to plastic. The feedback unit 20 is operable to provide both visual and audio feedback to a user during the execution of a baseball swing in order to provide reinforcement that a proper swing has been executed. FIG. 1 shows a beginning stance of a user and FIG. 3 shows an exemplary stance position subsequent the user hitting an exemplary ball 98. The feedback unit 20 includes a power supply 25 that is operable to provide the necessary power required. While no particular power supply 25 is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a power supply 25 that is a lithium ion battery. The power supply 25 is operably coupled to the tilt switch 30, CPU 35, light emitter 40 and audio unit 45. The CPU 25 is a conventional central processing unit that contains the necessary electronics operable to receive, store, manipulate and transmit data. The CPU 25 is disposed within the feedback unit 20 and provides the algorithms and logic to control the operation thereof.

A tilt switch 30 is disposed within the feedback unit 20 and is operable to detect the tilting movement of a user's knee during the execution of a baseball swing. As illustrated herein across FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the exemplary knee 97 moves forward and down during the execution of a proper baseball swing. Additionally as shown specifically in FIG. 2, an exemplary heel 95 of a user's foot is lifted off the ground as a user executes a desired swing. The tilt switch 30 is a conventional electronic tilt switch that is operable to detect the angle of the movement of the exemplary knee 97 during the execution of a swing. While no particular angular movement of the knee is required good results have been achieved with at least a twenty-degree angular movement of the knee during the execution of a desired baseball swing. The tilt switch 30 is calibrated to detect an angular movement of at least twenty degrees and subsequent to detection of an angular movement of at least twenty degrees will transmit a signal to the CPU 35. Subsequent receiving a signal from the tilt switch 30 the CPU 35 will transmit a signal to the audio unit 45 wherein the audio unit 45 will emit an audible signal so as to alert the user that the desired angular rotation of the exemplary knee 97 has been achieved. The audio unit 45 is a conventional audio speaker and is operable to emit a sound such as but not limited to a beep. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the tilt switch 30 could be calibrated to transmit a signal to the CPU 35 at an angle less than twenty degrees or more than twenty degrees.

A light emitter 40 is disposed within the feedback unit 20 and is operable to provide a visible light to a user. The light emitter 40 is a conventional laser that is operable to produce a light between the wavelengths of four hundred to seven hundred nanometers(nm). The utilization of this wavelength is desired as this wavelength produces a visible light beam to the human eye. It is further desired within the scope of the present invention that the light emitter 40 utilize a green or red color, as these are the most visible to the human eye. The light emitter 40 is utilized to provide visual feedback to a user both in the beginning stance as shown in FIG. 1 and the finishing stance, shown in FIG. 2. The visible light beam of the light emitter 40 allows a user to utilize the light beam to align themselves with the exemplary home plate 92. In the finishing stance shown in FIG. 2, the light emitter 40 produces a light beam that will provide visual indication to a user that a desired proper rotation of the exemplary leg 99 has occurred and the light beam will be broadcast in a direction that is towards the apex 91 of the exemplary home plate 92. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary heel 95 of the user is in the desired position, which further ensures that the light emitter 40 will produce a visual beam in the direction of the apex 91 of the exemplary home plate 92.

The feedback unit 20 further includes a power switch 50 that is operable to place the feedback unit 20 in an off or an on position. The power switch 50 is a conventional power switch and operably coupled to the power supply 25. Subsequent to the feedback unit 20 being placed in the on position, the light emitter 20 emits a continuous beam of visible light while the audio unit 45 provides an audio signal subsequent to receiving a signal from the CPU 25 that the tilt switch 25 has detected an angle of movement that is at least twenty degrees. Furthermore, while the swing training apparatus 100 in its preferred embodiment is operable to teach a desired swing rotation and heel positioning during the execution of a baseball swing, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the swing training apparatus 100 as embodied could be utilized to provide feedback to a user in other sports that utilize a swing motion such as but not limited to golf.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swing training apparatus comprising: a band, said band having a first end and a second end, said band being secured to a knee of a user; a feedback unit, said feed back unit being secured to said band, said feedback unit further including a central processing unit, said central processing unit having the necessary electronics required to receive, store, manipulate and transmit data; and wherein said feedback unit is operable to provide a least a visual or audio signal to a user during execution of a baseball swing.
 2. The swing training apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said feedback unit further includes a light emitter, said light emitter operable to provide a visual signal to a user.
 3. The swing training apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said feedback unit further includes an audio unit, said audio unit being a speaker, said audio unit being operable to provide an audio signal to a user.
 4. The swing training apparatus as recited in claim 3, and further including a tilt switch, said tilt switch being disposed within said feedback unit, said tilt switch being operably coupled to said central processing unit and said audio unit.
 5. The swing training apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said tilt switch is calibrated to transmit a signal to said central processing unit subsequent to detection of a tilting motion that is at least twenty degrees.
 6. The swing training apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said light emitter is operable to produce a light beam within the range of 400 to 700 nanometers.
 7. The swing training apparatus as recited in claim 6, and further including a power supply, said power supply operable to provide power to said feedback unit.
 8. A baseball swing training device operable to assist a user with lower body rotation and heel positioning during execution of a baseball swing comprising: a feedback unit, said feedback unit including a housing, said housing being secured to a band, said band being configured to be releasably secured to a leg of a user, said feedback unit further including a central processing unit, said central processing unit having the necessary electronics required to receive, store, manipulate and transmit data, said feedback unit further including a tilt switch, said tilt switch being disposed within said housing, said tilt switch being operably coupled to said central processing unit, said tilt switch being calibrated to detect an angular motion of at least twenty degrees, and wherein said feedback unit is operable to produce at least a visual or an audio signal to a user.
 9. The baseball swing training device as recited in claim 8, wherein said feedback unit further includes an audio unit, said audio unit being a speaker, said audio unit being operable to provide an audio signal to a user.
 10. The baseball swing training device as recited in claim 9, wherein said feedback unit further includes a light emitter, said light emitter operable to provide a visual signal to a user.
 11. The baseball swing training device as recited in claim 10, wherein said light emitter is operable to produce a light beam within the range of 400 to 700 nanometers.
 12. The baseball swing training device as recited in claim 11, wherein said light emitter is operable to produce a light that is selected from at least one of the following colors: red or green.
 13. The baseball swing training device as recited in claim 12, and further including a power supply, said power supply operable to provide power to said feedback unit.
 14. The baseball swing training device as recited in claim 13, wherein said feedback unit utilizes said light emitter and said audio unit to provide both visual and audio signals to a user that a user has executed a baseball swing with desired lower body rotation and heel positioning.
 15. A baseball swing training apparatus that is operable to produce a visual and an audio signal to a user during the execution of a baseball swing wherein the baseball swing training apparatus is releasably secured to the rearward leg of a user comprising: a band, said band having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end of said band being configured to be releasably secured to each other, said band operable to be circumferentially mounted to a leg of a user; a feedback unit, said feedback unit including a housing, said housing being secured to said band, said feedback unit further including a central processing unit, said central processing unit having the necessary electronics required to receive, store, manipulate and transmit data, said feedback unit further including a tilt switch, said tilt switch being disposed within said housing, said tilt switch being operably coupled to said central processing unit, said tilt switch being calibrated to detect an angular motion of at least twenty degrees; a light emitter, said light emitter being disposed within said feedback unit, said light emitter being operable to produce a visible signal to a user of the baseball swing training device during execution of a baseball swing; and an audio unit, said audio unit being operably coupled to said tilt switch, said audio unit operable to produce an audio signal subsequent said tilt switch detecting an angular motion of at least twenty degrees.
 16. The baseball swing training apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said light emitter is operable to produce a light beam within the range of 400 to 700 nanometers.
 17. The baseball swing training apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said light emitter is operable to produce a light that is selected from at least one of the following colors: red or green.
 18. The baseball swing training apparatus as recited in claim 17, and further including a power supply, said power supply operable to provide power to said feedback unit.
 19. The baseball swing training apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said audio unit is a speaker.
 20. The baseball swing training apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said band is manufactured from nylon. 